Whistleblowing

Will Macron Grant Asylum to Snowden?

On 15 September, French Minister of Justice Nicole Belloubet said on the radio and television programme “Le Grand jury RTL Le Figaro LCI” that she welcomed the idea of ​​granting asylum to Edward Snowden. A day later, the same opinion was expressed by French MEP Nathalie Loiseau from the “La République En Marche!” party.

The American whistle-blower had applied for asylum in France under President Hollande in 2013, but his request was rejected. Former Minister for EU Affairs Loiseau pointed out that Snowden’s request should be addressed by the refugee protection agency OFPRA, which she claims is “a completely independent agency”. Nevertheless, it’s hard to believe that the executive did not have its own say on such an important case.

On September 16, Snowden told France Inter that he was interested in asylum in France. Satisfying the request of someone considered to be a traitor in the US could be a unique opportunity for France to strengthen its role as an “equilibrium power” independent of the United States, as Emmanuel Macron put it. That would also be an example of how to act in line with the fundamental values ​​of the French Republic, Loiseau told France Inter.